Lake Gillear Project

Partners: Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network, Tutt Environmental Services, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Emmanuel College, Warrnambool Community Garden & Green Futures-Warrnambool City Council.

A significant regional collaboration is underway at Lake Gillear, bringing together education, community, and environmental partners to deliver a practical environmental restoration initiative.

Floating wetland modules provide a unique opportunity for schools to combine environmental restoration with hands-on learning. They create living outdoor classrooms where students and community members can actively participate in the construction, planting, installation, and ongoing monitoring of a real-world environmental project.

Benefits of Floating Wetland Modules in schools and community sites

• Hands-on learning experiences for participants of all ages through the design, construction, planting, and installation of the modules.

• Environmental stewardship by involving students in a practical restoration project that improves local waterways and ecosystems.

• Habitat creation for a diverse range of insects, aquatic invertebrates, frogs, birds, and other wildlife, increasing local biodiversity.

• Scientific inquiry and data collection opportunities as students observe plant growth, water quality, wildlife activity, and seasonal changes over time.

• Cross-curricular learning that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through design, monitoring, documentation, and creative interpretation.

• Long-term observation and research as aquatic plant species establish and mature, allowing learners to collect and analyse data on plant health, biodiversity, water clarity, and habitat use.

• Community engagement by bringing together schools, environmental organisations, local government, Traditional Owners, and community groups to work towards a shared environmental outcome.

• Connection to place by encouraging participants to understand and care for local waterways and ecosystems within their region.